WASHINGTON DC -Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), Oversight Subcommittee Chairman John Lewis (D-GA) and Committee Member Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) issued the following statements today, expressing their condolences to employees of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) working in the Austin Echelon Building and pledging continued support to the Administration in dealing with this event.
“I want to join President Obama, Secretary Geithner and IRS Commissioner Shulman in offering my sincere condolences to the fine public servants in Austin following last week’s tragic event and the loss of their colleague Vernon Hunter," said Chairman Rangel (D-NY). “The IRS is staffed by dedicated public servants from across the nation and I want to reassure them that Congress is dedicated to ensuring the IRS has the resources needed to increase and improve security at IRS facilities."
“I want to express my deepest sympathies to the family of Vernon Hunter, his coworkers in Austin, and all of those who serve our country every day at the Internal Revenue Service," said Rep. Lewis (D-GA). “I was moved by the many stories of colleagues helping each other during this terrible tragedy. I thank the IRS Commissioner for the steps he has taken to enhance security at all IRS sites around the country."
“That not more were lost in the Austin suicide attack is the result of the valor and professionalism of the federal employees and our local Austin first responders who rose to the call of duty amidst chaos," said Rep. Doggett (D-TX). “My thoughts are with the friends and family of Vernon Hunter, and with his colleagues."
